Learning to program was a magical experience for me. It was enlightening in the literal sense of the word. Processes that were previously dark and obscure, became clearly visibile when I understood that all computers can do is maths and that the magic of programs was magic written by a real person, a person using the same basic tools that I now had access to.
As I flew through this new world of power, I felt like Ged, as he rides the dragon to the end of the world. A flourish of all the knowledge I had gathered through study. This wizardry that I felt was something that fizzled away over time. I went to university and worked on grander projects, but the monotony of it all sucked away all its magic. I no longer felt like a wizard, I felt like I was working to work. Learning and improving just so I can get a job, where I would bend computers to the will of faceless companies.
My love of programming met a sickly and pitiable end, but I do not believe that it is gone forever.
I quest to regain my love